Aquaculture in Mozambique is a relatively new activity.

The culture of freshwater species such

as tilapia has existed for many decades (since the 1950s), whereas the cultivation of marine
species has emerged over the last five years. The aquaculture industry in 2003 consisted of
commercial farms producing marine shrimp (Penaeus spp.) and seaweed (Kappaphycus spp.),
and artisanal farms producing tilapia (Tilapia spp.). In 2003 aquaculture production was
approximately 855 tonnes/year, but the outlook is a production of 5 000 tonnes by 2006
(Ministério das Pescas, 2003). 2003 data on capture fisheries reported a production of 89 111
tonnes of crustaceans, finfish and molluscs (INE, 2003).

Aquaculture practices range from extensive farming (tilapia and seaweeds) with few inputs and
modest output, to semi-intensive farming (shrimp) with high inputs and high output.

The development of aquaculture in Mozambique plays an important role in the socio-economic

development of the country: providing cheap protein, improving the population's diet, creating
jobs, generating income and promoting regional development.The potential for aquaculture
development in Mozambique is enormous. There is a favourable environment for investment,
climatic conditions are favourable (tropical and sub-tropical climate), it is unpolluted, population
pressure is low, and there are extensive resources with a potential of 33 000 ha of land suitable
for coastal aquaculture and the existence of wild native species which can potentially be farmed
such as giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon , Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus , kuruma
prawn Penaeus japonicus , speckled shrimp Metapenaeus monoceros , giant river prawn
Macrobrachium rosenbergii and tilapia Tilapia spp.

The cultivation of marine species has only emerged over the last five years. Coastal aquaculture
began in the 1970s with a research programme into farming the South American rock mussel
Perna perna .

Early work on prawn culture and development began in the mid 1980s with site surveying,
promotion of overseas investment and the execution of a UNDP funded pilot project near
Maputo City. However, project implementation faced several constraints and in the early 1990s
the farm was privatized. It is currently a farming hatchery rearing Penaeus indicus. Yields of 2.5
tonnes/ha/year have been achieved. In 2002 the production of marine shrimp was 600 tonnes at a
value of US$ 3 000 000. In 2003 it was 332 tonnes at a value of US$ 1 657 920 with only one
farm operating. Seaweed production in 2002 was 157 tonnes at an estimated value of US$ 31
000 and in 2003 523 tonnes estimated at US$ 105 000.
Human resources
Direct employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector is estimated to be 95 000 (Ministry of
Fisheries, 2004; Omar, 2005), of whom 90 percent are in the artisanal sector. It is estimated that
about 1 000 people are employed on the commercial farms on a full-time basis. Around 5 500
people are involved in subsistence aquaculture as a part-time activity, of whom 3 500 are in
tilapia extensive farming and 2 000 in seaweed farming. Other activities include agriculture,
including cash crops and livestock. The vast majority, over 90 percent, are illiterate or have a
primary education, whilst a small number, mainly those in administrative areas, have a secondary
education. The commercial farms employ overseas workers in technical and managerial
positions. In seaweed farming 80 percent of the producers are women, whilst on the commercial
farms women make up 30 percent of the workers (Aquaculture Department, 2004) employed in
processing.